Like a Fellini movie, the ceramics of the famed Italian company Bitossi Ceramiche embody a creative spectrum that ranges from the playful and earthy to the high-minded and provocative. Based in Florence, Bitossi draws on craft traditions that date back to the 1500s. These find expression in Bitossi pottery that includes artisanal vintage vases and animal figures by the firm’s longtime art director Aldo Londi, as well as the colorful, totemic vessels designed by the high priest of postmodernism, Ettore Sottsass.
Bitossi was incorporated by Guido Bitossi in 1921, though the family began making art pottery in the mid-19th century. In the 1930s, Londi came aboard, bringing with him a mindset that respected time-honored craft, yet looked also to the future. On the one hand, Londi’s perspective fostered the making of Bitossi’s popular whimsical cats, owls, horses and other animal figures, hand-shaped and -carved and finished in a rich azure glaze known as “Rimini Blue.”
But with his other hand, Londi reached out to thoughtful, experimental designers such as Sottsass. After hiring Sottsass to design ceramics for his New York imports company, Raymor, American entrepreneur Irving Richards connected the Milanese design polymath to Londi, who introduced Sottsass to ceramics in the 1950s.
During that decade, some 20 years before he founded the Memphis postmodern design collective in Milan, Sottsass used the Bitossi kilns to create timeless works that manifest both primitive forms and modern geometries. In later decades, Bitossi would welcome new generations of designers, which have included such names as Ginevra Bocini and Karim Rashid.
While always looking forward, Bitossi is firm in their belief that mastery of craft is the first step towards beautiful design. As you will see from the works offered on these pages, that is a winning philosophy.
Find a collection of vintage Bitossi decorative objects, lighting and serveware on 1stDibs.
Mid Century Modern Large Bitossi Rimini Blue Bowl by Aldo Londi C1965
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic large (10.5) inches x 3 deep bowl by Aldo Londi for Bitossi of Italy. Rimini Blue such a a deep intense but serene color with archaic impressions banding the bowl. In excel...
Clay
Aldo Londi Bitossi Rimini Blue Glazed Midcentury Candle Holder Bowl, 1950s
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and decorative midcentury Rimini blue glazed round candle holder or candlestick. Designed by Aldo Londi, manufactured by Bitossi Ceram...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Raymor Bitossi Italian Pottery Bowl Remini Blue
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Aldo Londi Importer: Raymor. Period or model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Pottery Condition: This Bitossi Italian pottery bowl rem...
Pottery
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Blue Ceramic Bowl by Ona
Located in Hamburg, DE
Ceramic Bowl from Ona, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Blue Styles: Mid-Century ...
Ceramic
$1,759
H 2.36 in Dm 10.63 in
Large Mid-Century Rimini Blu Pottery Bowl by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s
By Aldo Londi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Rimini blue bowl. Very rare in this size with a diameter of 27.5 cm. This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility ...
Ceramic
Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Vase for Bitossi, Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Bern, CH
Late 1950’s - early 1960’s Aldo Londi Rimini Blue Vase for Bitossi, Italy. Numbered on base: 102/23 ITALY Designer: Aldo Londi, Italy Producer: Bitossi, Italy Measurements: Height: 2...
Ceramic
Blue Italian Ceramic Dish in the Style of Bitossi Raymor
By Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian blue glazed ceramic bowl or dish. Classic mediterranean ceramic design featuring blue, green, and navy glazes. Stunning when full of l...
Ceramic
$440
H 2.76 in Dm 11.03 in
Large 1960s Midcentury Bitossi Aldo Londi Rimini Blu Pottery Ceramic Bowl Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
This 1960s Rimini Blu pottery centrepiece was designed by ceramist Aldo Londi for Bitossi Ceramiche in a very rare size with a diameter of 28cm! The beautifully hand decorated geomet...
Pottery
$821
H 2.76 in Dm 5.12 in
Mid-Century Rimini Blu Pottery Candle Holder by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, 1960s
By Aldo Londi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Rimini Blu Pottery Candle Holder by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure tha...
Ceramic
Mid Century Studio Pottery Pedestal Bowl or Centerpiece
Located in Tilburg, NL
Studio Pottery Pedestal Bowl or Centerpiece, Europe, mid 20th Century. A striking mid-century studio pottery bowl raised on a gently tapering pedestal foot. The exterior is worked w...
Pottery
Vintage Maitland Smith Porcelain Pedestal Bowl with Bronze Rim
By Maitland Smith
Located in Troy, MI
Large circa 1980s pedestal bowl in blue, white and pale brown glaze with leaf and rope braid motif by Maitland Smith. Square pedestal base supports a bowl just under 15” diameter wit...
Bronze
Ca Dei Vetrai Murano Deep Blue Glass Vase with Gold Base
Located in Troy, MI
Deep blue Murano glass vase with gold base. Found in Italy, this circa 1960s Murano glass vase features a saturated heavy blue flared and ridge...
Murano Glass
New Medium Rina Menardi Mint Cup Shape Bowl
By Rina Menardi
Located in Troy, MI
New and hand made in Italy by Rina Menardi, this cup-form bowl or vase stands just under 11” tall and has a dark teal green glaze. Streamlined shape with thin, glazed porcelain walls...
Stoneware
Barovier Vase in Blue Murano Glass with Gold Inclusions and Clear Side Fins
By Barovier
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this circa 1950s blue Murano glass vase has a flared body with contrasting decorative side fins and is attributed to Barovier. Base and sides are made of clear glass ...
Murano Glass
New Rina Menardi Cornflower Blue Small Bouquet Vase
By Rina Menardi
Located in Troy, MI
New Rina Menardi Cornflower Blue Small Bouquet Vase.
Ceramic
Tall Vintage Signed/Orig Label Carlo Moretti Blue Black Gold White Murano Glass
By Carlo Moretti
Located in Troy, MI
Found in Italy, this vase by Carlo Moretti dates from the 1990s. This mouth blown piece is 11.5” tall and is decorated with an abstract pattern of mixed colors in plummy earth tones,...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
